Kite power systems in automatic operation

Maasvlakte 2, Port of Rotterdam, June 2012: Prof. Wubbo Ockels and Robin van Kappel explain how to harvest wind energy by means of computer-conrolled traction kites. The purpose of this public demonstration was to show the automatic operation of the system up to an altitude of 700 meters. The wind conditions were exceptionally strong, with velocity peaks of 17 meters per second, such that the team had to use a kite with 16 square meter surface are. This is smaller than the usual wing with 25 square meter su